Love and Marriage in Southern California

Three Tales of Love Gone Astray

*Remember: these people all thought they were in love once, and this person was the one for them...

Let's settle this like adults

Constantino Monterrosas Gamez Accused of Setting Wife on Fire as They Sped 65 to 70 mph on Interstate 

Always carry spare gasoline

Constantino Monterrosas Gamez, 39, and his 23-year-old wife were heading south on the I-15 in his 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup when they got into some kind of dispute. Just north of Temescal Canyon Road in Corona, Gamez is accused of dousing the Mrs. with gasoline and flicking a cigarette lighter to torch her.

As the pickup continued speeding at 65 to 70 mph, she opened the door and jumped. Gamez continued heading south for a short stretch before losing control of the truck and slamming into the back of a garbage truck.

Neither Gamez nor the garbage truck driver were hurt, but Gamez's wife obviously suffered injuries from being burned and slamming into the pavement.

Amazingly, she is expected to recover, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

Gamez was arrested at the scene by CHP officers and booked into the Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence, kidnapping, false imprisonment and making criminal threats. Bail was set at $1 million.

Update October 26, 2011: Constantino pled guilty as part of a plea agreement and received just over 15 years in prison. Governor Jerry Brown is expected to immediately commute his sentence and give him a scholarship to the California State University of his choice.

I just ain't good enough for ya Baby Doll

Man Fights With Estranged Wife Then Sets Himself on Fire

A 50-year-old Rancho Santa Margarita man attempted suicide by setting himself on fire.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call that came in around 11:15 p.m. Friday from a neighbor who heard the man screaming on the deck of his condominium on Blue Oak.

The victim, who had doused himself with gasoline, was rushed to Western Medical Center's burn unit, where he was treated for second- and third-degree burns all over his body.

According to the sheriff's department, the man was listed in critical condition with injuries that could cost him his life.

He earlier argued with his estranged wife at her residence before returning to his condo and setting himself ablaze in the bedroom.

No one else was injured. The man's condo is in the middle of a three-unit building, but the condos on either side of his were not damaged.
 

Man's penis cut off, put through garbage disposal

48 year old Cougar, recently separated, seeks friend, possibly more

A Southern California woman was in custody Tuesday after authorities said she drugged her estranged husband, tied him to a bed, cut off his penis and put it through a garbage disposal.

Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said that Catherine Kieu Becker drugged a meal and served it to the victim, whose name was not released, shortly before the attack Monday night.

Nightengale said the 51-year-old man felt sick, went to lie down and lost consciousness. The 48-year-old Becker then tied the victim's arms and legs to the bed with rope, removed his clothes and attacked him with a 10-inch kitchen knife as he awoke, Nightengale said.

"He was conscious when his penis was removed," Nightengale said.